Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis

Here is a cute Praying Mantis from my garden. These insects get their name because they have very long front legs that they hold in a position that reminds people of praying.

Front legs of mantis have rows of sharp spines to help them hold on to their prey, which they usually begin to eat head first! They have long necks and triangular head, which can be turned an entire half circle.

Well camouflaged mantis

The eggs of a mantis are enclosed in a foamy pouch called an ootheca or egg sack. When the female produces the ootheca it is soft, but very quickly it will dry to become firm . The ootheca protects the eggs until they hatch.